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Derby Film Festival starts tonight

The 2015 Derby Film Festival, which is being launched tonight, is the biggest and best yet, with 22 previews and ten days of films and events for fans to enjoy including an on-stage discussion with actor Jenny Agutter.

The co-directors of the festival Adam Buss and Adam Marsh have strived to establish it as a place for film fans and aspiring filmmakers alike, with opportunities for inspiration at every turn.

“Our opening night event is one for fans of all ages as the hugely influential Radiophonic Workshop perform live at Derby Theatre at 7.30pm,” said Buss who is the chief executive of QUAD where the films will be screened.

“The Radiophonic Workshop are rightly celebrated for their creation of the Dr Who theme tune but are also one of the most influential electronic musical acts in the world having inspired everyone from Roxy Music to Portishead to Mizz Beats.

“The festival is about film but is more importantly about the audience, we are confident that everyone will be charmed and enlightened by Jenny Agutter and also convinced that they will discover a new film that stays with them forever.”

The festival opens with four films and four previews including a double bill of Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid and Fletch and the preview of Julian Jarrold’s A Royal Night Out starring Emily Watson as Queen Elizabeth (The Queen Mother).

There will then be at least eight films screened each day until May 10.

The festival incorporates Fantastiq – a weekend of fantasy, sci-fi and horror cinema including special guests short films and 35mm classics from the vaults from May 8-10.

Topping the bill for the special events will be Jenny Agutter In Conversation on May 7. She will be talking about her work and career with writer and broadcaster Tony Earnshaw.

Mark Herman will also be in the hot seat on May 7 when he will be talking about his life and career in live action filmmaking. He has written and directed a variety of hit British comedies including Brassed Off and Little Voice and he has worked with the likes of Michael Caine and Colin Firth.

Peter Sasdy who is best known as the director of classic Hammer films such as Taste The Blood of Dracula will be talking about his career directing actors such as Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing on May 9 at 6.30pm. Jake West will discuss his vampire comedy Razor Blade Smile on May 10 at 4pm.

The role of the historical consultant in cinema will be discussed on May 2 at noon, with Dr Jacqueline Riding, who worked on Mike Leigh’s film Mr Turner.

Female film critics will be the subject up for discussion with a panel of experts on May 6.

The festival will draw to a close with the Five Lamps Films’ 24-hour Challenge screening and prize ceremony at 8pm on May 10. The entrants will have been tasked with making a three-minute film in just one day. For more information on how to enter go to fivelampsfilms.co.uk.